In this meta-analysis, the mean DOR values of GP73, AFP, and GP73 + AFP were 12.49, 11.61, and 30.63, respectively; this suggests that serum levels of GP73 + AFP were more helpful for early diagnosis of HCC than were the serum levels of GP73 or AFP alone, and that the accuracies of GP73 and AFP alone for diagnosing HCC did not differ markedly. The gene discussed is AFP; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.